Look, I’ll be honest – when I first saw “penthouse” in the name, I was expecting some over-the-top luxury situation that would probably disappoint. But this place on Sussex Gardens actually delivers on that promise, and it’s in one of those spots that makes you feel like you’ve cracked some sort of London code.
The flat itself is genuinely stunning – I mean, whoever designed this space knew what they were doing. The bedroom feels properly spacious (which, you know, in London is saying something), and there’s this attention to detail that you don’t always get even in pricier places. The kitchen actually works for more than just making tea, which was a pleasant surprise. What really got me though was stepping out onto that private terrace – you’re right there above the Marble Arch chaos but somehow removed from it all. On a clear morning, you can see across Hyde Park while drinking your coffee, and honestly, that’s worth the price alone.
The location is where this place really shines, and I say that as someone who’s stayed all over Zone 1. Sussex Gardens gets a bad rap sometimes because it’s packed with budget hotels, but Cambridge Court sits on the quieter end, and you’re literally two minutes from Marble Arch tube – I timed it. Here’s what the listings don’t tell you: you can walk to Oxford Street in about five minutes when you need that shopping fix, but when you want to escape the madness, Hyde Park is right there. Speaker’s Corner on Sunday mornings, the Winter Wonderland chaos in December (if you’re into that sort of thing), or just cutting through to get to South Ken – it’s all walkable. The Edgware Road Lebanese restaurants are a quick stroll too, and trust me, you’ll want to hit up Maroush late one night.
Practically speaking, the building feels secure and well-maintained – none of that dodgy entrance situation you sometimes get in converted period buildings. The lift works (crucial when you’re on the 7th floor), and check-in was refreshingly straightforward. Parking’s tricky around here, obviously, but the tube connections are so good you really don’t need a car. One thing to note: it can get a bit noisy on weekend evenings because, well, you’re in central London and people are having fun. But the windows are decent quality, so it’s not too bad with them closed. The area definitely has that slightly touristy feel during peak season, but that also means everything stays open late and there’s always somewhere to grab food at odd hours. You know what really sealed it for me though? That 9.2 rating isn’t just impressive numbers – you can feel it in all the small touches, from the quality of the linens to how well everything actually works. It’s one of those places where you end up staying in more than you planned because it’s just comfortable.